Imphal: Manipur joined the nation in commemorating the 8th Armed Forces Veterans Day on Sunday. The commemoration was held at the Banquet Hall of the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles with Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh as Chief Guest and Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister, Th. Biswajit Singh as President.
Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed every year on 14th January, taking the day of the retirement of Field Marshal K.M Cariappa, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, from his service. The day is also observed to pay respects to the ex-servicemen for their selfless duty & sacrifices and reinforce solidarity towards the Next of Kin of these brave hearts.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister, N. Biren Singh stated that the Armed Forces Veterans Day is observed to honour those who had rendered selfless service for the security and safeguard of the motherland and had sacrificed their lives for the sake of the nation.
The Chief Minister appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his initiative to commemorate the Armed Forces Veterans Day every year since 2017, adding that the State is also observing the day with much participation this year.
Expressing the proud feeling that the State has many veterans, he stated that the State has the highest number of officers serving in the armed forces in terms of per capita. He also mentioned with honour that many Manipuris are presently serving the nation working in the armed forces.
Mentioning the welfare initiatives taken up by the State Government for the personnel who had served in the armed forces, N. Biren informed that 5 percent reservation had been made for the ex-servicemen in State Government job’s recruitment and further an age relaxation of 5 years had been availed for appearing in job recruitment through Manipur Public Service Commission.
Further stating that the State had so far produced two Army Officers of the rank of Lieutenant Generals, despite its small population, he expressed a proud feeling of being a Manipuri.
Recalling the valour and sacrifice made by army officers from the State like Major Laishram Jyotin Singh and Major Bob Khathing, the Chief Minister announced that the State Government is looking for a suitable site for the construction of a memorial for the Indian Army in recognition of the sacrifice made by them for the security of the country and added that an amount of Rs. 3 crore had been earmarked for the same. He assured that the construction of the same would be completed before the Armed Forces Veterans Day next year.
Concluding his speech, he maintained that the country has developed and become stronger in different sectors under the leadership of the Prime Minister and appealed to the public to stand together against any forces who try to disintegrate the unity of the State and the Country.
Delivering his presidential speech, Minister Th. Biswajit Singh stated that the observance of the Armed Forces Veterans Day is very necessary, considering the sacrifices made by many brave hearts for the security of the country. He continued that Manipur, though a small state with a small population, has produced many brave personnel who have been serving or served in the armed forces.
He further mentioned that personnel of the armed forces had always contributed to nation-building till their last breath. As such, every year 14th January is being observed as the Armed Forces Veterans Day across the country, he added.
The Minister also spoke on the contribution of Field Marshal KM Cariappa. He also mentioned the hardships faced by the personnel of the armed forces while rendering their duty to safeguard the country.
During the programme, the Chief Minister felicitated distinguished and gallantry award-winning veterans and Veer Naris as a mark of respect for their service towards the nation.
The other highlight of the observation was the patriotic song presented by the artists of Shri Shri Bal Mukunda Dev Government Music College, Imphal.
Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th. Satyabrata, Ministers, Member of Parliament, MLAs, Ld. Advocate General, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor, Director General of Police, high-ranking officials of Civil, Police, Army, Paramilitary forces and armed forces veterans also attended the programme among others.
Later, in the afternoon, Chief Minister, Shri N. Biren Singh visited the families of the four persons who were found dead at Haotak Mapalok Ching, Bishnupur district recently. The Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and assured them that the government will extend every possible assistance to the families.
